“So, how is our emperor doing?” (Zeke)

“Now that he can get up, I think we’ll be able to return home once he rests a little more.” (Jill)

“Is it really okay not to return with Her Highness Elynsia, Jill-chan~?” (Camila)

“Yes, it’s fine. As long as His Majesty is here, we can always summon dragons.”

Jill and Hades could easily depart from the Rakia Mountains at any time. It was safer for Camila and Zeke to return with Elynsia and the others.

“Well, Captain is back home—” (Zeke)

“—Jill, come here. Hades has woken up, so bring him some tea. Also, a quick meal.”

The moment Jill passed through the front door of the mansion, she was accosted by her mother who poked her head out from the kitchen. Jill scurried to the kitchen and was handed a tray with sandwiches, fruit slices, tea, and sweets. Also inside were the two twin brothers, who were supposed to be taking care of Hades, leisurely sipping tea.

“Why aren’t you guys with His Majesty?”

“Father kicked us out. Right, Andy?”

“Huh!? Why didn’t you stop him!?”

“It was an order from the head of the family. If Sister Jill is that worried, you should’ve stayed by his side.”

“Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t! That’s why I asked you two!”

“It’s fine. Everyone knows that right now, Hades is not the Dragon Emperor, but Jill’s future husband. It can’t be helped if some assassination attempt happens.”

‘It’s hopeless.’ Rick shrugged as he ate his cookie.

“Hey, if I call him ‘brother,’ do you think he’ll cook for me?” (Rick)

“It’s possible. The Dragon Emperor is a softie in the most unexpected ways.” (Andy)

“—Stop trying to think up strange plans! Mother, do something!” (Jill)

“But it’s amusing. Oh, right, I applied medicine to Hades… His bicep is wonderful…” (Charlotte)

“Why were you touching his arm when his injury is on his palm!? That’s it, I’m angry!” (Jill)

After getting mad at her mischievous mother, Jill left the kitchen. She declined Camila’s offer to carry the tray and walked down the hallway.

“Ugh, even though I already told father and mother that I won’t forgive them if they lay a finger on Hades!” (Jill)

“Even unconscious as His Majesty was back then, His Highness Listeard somehow allowed him to be brought here~” (Camila)

“Anyone would had, or Captain’s whip would have been flying.” (Zeke)

Her subordinates were saying something rude behind her, but she didn’t care. Hades was more important. Camila opened the door to the guest room.

The first thing they saw was Hades sitting upright while talking to her father whose back was facing them.

“But Hades, it must be a struggle to be so physically weak. Despite all the power you possess, you collapsed after just a short battle. Even though you’re still young—”

“—Father, what are you doing!?”

She placed the tray on the table and rested her hands on her hips. Billy snorted at her like a brat.

“What? He woke up, so we should train together.”

“That’s just asking for the impossible, His Majesty is still recovering!”

“But Jill, your father is also still recovering? I was beaten within an inch of my life, and yet I’m still alive and kicking! It must be because of the difference in our training methods!”

Briefly, Hades stared at her father with a hint of displeasure, before frowning and giving some sympathetic words.

“I’m sorry to hear that. Who on earth would do such a terrible thing?”

“Are you being serious!? Jill, I knew it, this guy is no good!”

Her father, who was still being vocal about his objection towards her marriage, grabbed her arm. Jill answered in disgust.

“Are you still saying that? You signed the oath, didn’t you, Father?”

“That’s because you wouldn’t stop cracking that sacred whip behind me! Also, Jill, stop using that whip. Not only does it remind me of your mother, it terrifies everyone!”

That’s the point.

“Please, just let it go. What happened to the family motto of ‘strength is justice’?”

“It was just a military drill! The Saber family never lost, and so neither has your father!”

“…Even though you were spared by His Majesty.”

“Listen, Jill. Remember, once you’re married, you can’t get a divorce.”

He can still say that with a straight face?

Jill pulled her father to his feet and pushed him from behind.

“Enough, already! Father, please leave! You’ll only worsen His Majesty’s health! Camila, Zeke, please keep watch and ensure my father doesn’t come in!”

“No, Jill, you can’t possibly be alone with that guy—”

“—If you have that much free time, please train Camila and Zeke! I’ll call you if anything happens!”

She chased her frightened subordinates and flabbergasted father out of the room before shutting the door. Then, she pushed the nearby chest to block the door. In that house, such a level of a barricade was akin to a piece of paper, but it was better than nothing.

“He’s a good father.”

Hades murmured. Jill sat down next to him.

A silence different from before followed. After their first big fight, it was definitely different, yet not awkward. Immediately, Hades clung to her as if he was unable to bear it anymore.

…However, the way he was crawling and hugging Jill’s waist was quite unseemly.

“Your Majesty, if you’re worried about saying it yourself, then you shouldn’t.”

“It was because you didn’t reassure me by saying, ‘I’ll marry His Majesty’ right away!”

“Don’t you already know the answer?”

“Well, I do, but still…”

Hades slowly got up with a complicated look on his face.

“Rave is still sleeping, isn’t he?”

“Yes. He’s been swung around quite a bit. Besides, I can’t let my guard down until I return to Rave… But right now, it’s just the two of us.”

“But here, you don’t know from where or who’s watching.”

Hades puffed his cheeks in an easy-to-understand manner. Smiling, Jill leaned against his chest.

If there was anything different from before, it was how she learned to lean on herself.

Perhaps, it was because she had realized that no love remained the same forever.

“Don’t let your guard down, Your Majesty. My mother said that she wanted to come to the Imperial Capital of Raelm for sightseeing.”

“Let me guess, either they’re going to rescue the crown prince, or ambush the imperial capital.”

“Definitely. What are we going to do?”

With a huff, Hades bent down, untied Jill’s shoelaces, and took them off. It wasn’t particularly unusual, but it seemed like he was hinting at the next step between the two of them, which was embarrassing.

“I’m sure my brothers will object, but you want your family to come, don’t you?”

“Yes, I’m going to show them how amazing His Majesty is!”

“You’re always like that. Lately, I feel like you’ve been acting extremely recklessly.”

“I believe in His Majesty.”

“See, you say that easily, but I don’t really want to get in a fight.”

“Oh, we will, and we’ll win anyway!”

As soon as Hades held her, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Then, as if he had lost balance, he fell backwards. Of course, it was on purpose. She knew because it happened all the time.

“Then, let’s think about it together.”

However, there were definitely some changes.

The way he gently combed her hair; the heat in their eyes as they held each other’s gazes…

“Your Majesty, you should’ve said that from the beginning.”

“I’m reflecting on it.”

“I’m also reflecting this time. A lot.”

“You aren’t at fault.”

“Your Majesty, you’re a bad liar. You were angry at me.”

“…Well, a little bit, maybe?”

“Look. That’s why you shouldn’t lie. When things like this happen, you have to think carefully so you don’t make the same mistake next time.”

That was how people put in the effort to maintain their relationships.

To let love warm up properly so that it was neither scalding nor freezing.

—to not let it turn into tragedy.

“…I love you, Jill.”

Jill laughed and pressed her forehead against Hades’ so that they could shared the same heat.

“Me too, Your Majesty.”

Let’s keep protecting it and eventually turn passion (恋)[1] into everlasting love (愛).

Surely, such was the reason for the love between the new Dragon Emperor and the Dragon Empress.

---

[1] Generally speaking, if you love something on the surface, it is called 恋 and 愛 is considered a deeper feeling than 恋. If you fall in love at glance, it would be called 恋 (恋に落ちる) and when you decide you love somebody entire your life, it would be called 愛.

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***T/N: More screentime for Papa and Mama Jill please!

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